Kroehler Family YMCA Closes Permanently Amid Coronavirus Crisis

NAPERVILLE, IL — The Kroehler Family YMCA location in Naperville will be closing for good amid the new coronavirus shutdown. The facility, located at 34 S. Washington St., is one of three Chicago-area YMCA locations that will not reopen, according to an update from YMCA of Metro Chicago.

The other locations closing are Lattof YMCA in Des Plaines and the Leaning Tower YMCA in Niles. In a news release, YMCA Metro Chicago said all three locations "have been operating at a loss for several years prior to the coronavirus outbreak, mainly due to the rising costs of maintaining the aging buildings that house the operations." This has led to a decline in membership and enrollment in programs.

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They added that the building that houses the Kroehler Family YMCA is "reached the end of its serviceable life. It requires millions of dollars in repairs and improvements, after having received significant capital investments over the last five years. "

Richard Malone, President and CEO of YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, said in a statement, “We have always done everything we can to keep the Kroehler Family YMCA open because we know how much the Naperville community values the Y’s unique and family-centered programs and services. That is what has made this a painful decision for us. But the sad reality is we can no longer afford to operate the center at its loss rate."

On March 16, the Kroehler Family YMCA closed its doors, along with the 16 other YMCA membership centers, overnight camps and extension sites in the midst of the start of the coronavirus shutdown. Because of the extended closure, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago says it stands to lose millions of dollars and considered a fundraiser to prevent the closures, but determined it would not be possible to raise the funds necessary to keep the facilities open.

Due to the closure Kroehler Family location, members at that location will be offered a free 3-month membership to Fry Family YMCA, which is located at 2120 95th St, once that reopens. Those who have paid for programs at the Kroehler Family YMCA will get a full refund, according to YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.